Decorative shelving unit

ABSTRACT

A shelving unit is provided including a post with a bottom end and a top end. The top end has a cross-sectional area that is different than a cross-sectional area of the remainder of the post. A ledge is defined at the top end of the post by the difference in cross-sectional area. A support ring is sized to rest on the ledge. A shelf is coupled to the support ring so that the shelf is rotatable about the post. The top end of the post is attachable to the bottom end of another post.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/901,665 filed May 24, 2013 and entitled “DECORATIVE SHELVING UNIT”, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/651,257 filed on May 24, 2012 and entitled “DECORATIVE SHELVING UNIT”, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments

The disclosed embodiments relate to a shelving unit, and more particularly to an adjustable decorative shelving unit.

2. Related Art

Generally, people display a multitude of items during the holiday season. For example, during Christmas, people may put ornaments, nativity scenes, and other Christmas related items on display throughout their home. Some people may also display seasonal books on their shelves. Typically, these items are scattered throughout the home and placed in any spot that is convenient. However, some homes may be too small to display each item. As a result, many items are left undisplayed. Moreover, some items are merely placed in areas of the home that are convenient, but do not necessarily provide proper viewing of the items. Additionally, some items that are typically on display throughout the home must be moved into storage to make room for the holiday items.

Some holiday displays may be set up in the home to provide more room for holiday items. However, these displays are typically stationary and quickly become filled. Some items placed on known displays may be positioned in the back of the display making it difficult to properly view the item. A need remains for a holiday display that is capable of holding several items, while properly making the items viewable. Additionally, some holiday displays include decorative features that extend from the shelf. As such, current decorative displays are susceptible to being knocked over or unintentionally moved or the items of the shelves may be knocked therefrom. A need remains for a holiday display that protects the items thereon and limits the possibility of being knocked over or moved.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The disclosed embodiments provide a decorative shelving unit for displaying holiday items. The shelving unit includes a center post having a plurality of shelves connected thereto. The shelves become wider from top to bottom so that the shelving unit resembles a Christmas tree. In one aspect, the shelving unit includes the ability to rotate the shelves. By rotating the shelves, each item positioned on the shelving unit may be visible. The shelves may rotate manually or be powered by a motor. Additionally, in one embodiment, the shelves include hooks extending therefrom to hang ornaments. The shelves may be lit like a Christmas tree. Additionally, a star or angel may be positioned at the top of the shelving unit on the center post.

In one embodiment, a shelving unit is provided having a post with a bottom end and a top end. The top end has a cross-sectional area that is different than a cross-sectional area of the remainder of the post. A ledge is defined at the top end of the post by the difference in cross-sectional area. A support ring is sized to rest on the ledge. A shelf is coupled to the support ring so that the shelf is rotatable about the post. The top end of the post is attachable to the bottom end of another post.

In one embodiment, a shelving unit is provided having a center post with a plurality of ledges formed along a length thereof. The ledges are defined by portions of the center post having a cross-sectional area that is different than the cross-sectional area of the remainder of the post. A plurality of shelves is provided. Each shelf has a support ring sized to rest on one of the plurality of ledges.

In one embodiment, a shelving unit is provided having a plurality of posts that are joined together to form a center post. Each post has a ledge formed at an end thereof. The ledge is defined by an end segment of the post having a cross-sectional area that is different than the cross-sectional area of the remainder of the post. The posts are joined so that the center post includes a plurality of ledges along a length thereof. A plurality of shelves is provided. Each shelf has a support ring sized to rest on one of the plurality of ledges.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shelving unit formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a shelving unit formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a post formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a support ring formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a shelf formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a shelf formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a stand formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a stand formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a table formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a shelving unit formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of a shelving unit formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a shelf formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a shelf formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a shelf formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shelf formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a bracket form in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a support member formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a coupling mechanism formed in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a collapsible decorative shelving unit 10 configured to resemble a Christmas tree. Each element of the shelving unit 10 may be removed for easy storage during non-holiday seasons. The shelving unit 10 is durable to withstand the weight of holiday items positioned thereon. In some embodiments, the shelving unit 10 is manufactured from plastic, metal, a combination thereof, or any other desired material. The shelving unit 10 may display any holiday items, i.e. books, nutcrackers, ornaments, nativity scenes, or the like. The individual shelves are rotatable so that each item of the shelving unit 10 may be viewed.

The shelving unit 10 includes a center post 12. A height of the center post 12 dictates the height of the shelving unit 10. In one embodiment, the shelving unit 10 may stand four to eight feet tall, similar to a real Christmas tree. In such an embodiment, the center post 12 may include a plurality of posts 14 that are connected together to form one unitary post 12. For example, an eight foot shelving unit 10 may have four two foot long posts 14 that are joined together. The height of the shelving unit 10 may be adjusted by using only some of the provided posts 14. For example, the eight foot shelving unit may be set up with only three of the two foot posts 14 to form a six foot shelving unit 10. The plurality of posts 14 may be separated for easy storage. In one embodiment, the center post 12 may include a decorative star 15 or angel on its top.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an individual post 14. The post 14 includes a bottom end 16 and a top end 18. The post 14 has a cross-sectional area 20. The top end 18 of the post 14 includes an end segment 22 having a cross-sectional area 24 that is different than the cross-sectional area 20. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional area 24 of the end segment 22 is less than the cross-sectional area 20 of the remainder of the post 14. The difference in cross-sectional areas 20 and 24 creates a ledge 26 at the top end 18 of the post 14. A threaded screw 36 extends from the end segment 22. A threaded screw opening 40 extends into and is centered in the bottom end 16 of the post 14.

The ledge 26 is configured to support a support ring 28 that rests thereon. A support ring 28 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The support ring 28 includes a center portion 30 and a flange 32. The center portion 30 is configured to rest on the ledge 26. A sleeve 34 is formed in the center portion 30. The sleeve 34 receives the end segment 22 of the post 14 by sliding the sleeve 34 over the end segment 22 so that the sleeve rests on the ledge 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 34 is squared to receive a squared end segment 22; however, the sleeve 34 and the end segment 22 may have any corresponding shape. The flange 32 extends outward from the center portion 30. In one embodiment, the flange 32 extends outward from the post 14, when the support ring 28 is positioned on the end segment 22 of the post 14. A hole 38 is also formed in the support ring 28 and centered with respect to the sleeve 34. The hole 38 receives the threaded screw 36 therethrough so that the threaded screw 36 extends from the support ring 28 when the support ring 28 is positioned on the post 14.

A shelf 42, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is positioned on the support ring 28. In particular, the shelf 42 is positioned on the flange 32 of the support ring 28. It should be noted that FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the shelf 42 with the support ring 28 attached thereto. In one embodiment, the shelf 42 and the support ring 28 are formed integrally.

The bottom end 16 of the post 12 is configured to be positioned in a stand 44, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The stand 44 includes a threaded screw 46 extending therefrom, so that the threaded screw opening 40 in the bottom end 16 of the post 12 may be screwed thereto. In one embodiment, the stand 44 may be a weighted stand that prevents the shelving unit 10 from tipping over. The size and the weight of the stand 44 may vary depending on the size of the shelving unit 10.

During assembly, a first post 14 is screwed onto the stand 44. A support ring 28 is positioned on the end segment 22 of the first post 14 and a shelf 42 is positioned on the support ring 28. It should be noted that the shelf 42 may be positioned on the end segment 22 with the support ring 28 pre-attached to the shelf 42 or integral therewith. A second post 14 is then secured to the first post 14 by screwing the threaded screw 36 of the first post 14 into the threaded screw opening 40 of the second post 14. By attaching the first post 14 and the second post 14, the support ring 28 becomes secured between the first post 14 and the second post 14. Additional posts 14 and shelves 42 are then attached as desired using the same method to form the shelving unit 10. After construction of the shelving unit 10, an ornament, such as a star, may be screwed into the threaded screw 36 of the top post 14.

The shelves 42 are removable from the center post 12 for storage. In an exemplary embodiment, the shelves 42 are round; however they may take any other shape. In one embodiment, various sets of shelves 42 having different shapes may be sold separately from the shelving unit 10 and be interchangeable with the shelves 42 sold with the shelving unit 10. The shelves 42 are sized to taper outward from the top of the shelving unit 10 to the bottom of the shelving unit 10 to give the appearance of a Christmas tree. In particular, a top shelf 42 has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the bottom shelf 42, and an intermediate shelf 42 has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the top shelf 42, but less than the diameter of the bottom shelf 42. It should be noted that the shelving unit 10 may include any number of shelves 42 with each shelf 42 moving upward form the bottom having a smaller diameter than the shelf 42 below it.

In some embodiments, each shelf 42 includes a lip 52 around its outer perimeter, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The lip 52 prevents items on the shelf 42 from being knocked therefrom. The shelves 42 may also include hanging devices 63, such as the hooks shown in FIG. 1, around an outer perimeter thereof. The hanging devices may be used for hanging ornaments or the like. In one embodiment, the hooks are positioned on an underside of the shelf. The hooks open toward the center post. Accordingly, the hooks do not extend from the edge of the shelf, thereby preventing the hooks from being caught on a passerby's clothing, which may result in the shelving unit 10 being moved or knocked over. In another embodiment, the lip 52 of each shelf 42 includes openings 65 from which to hang ornaments.

The disclosed embodiments allow the shelves 42 to rotate so that each item on the shelves 42 may be viewed. The shelves 42 may manually rotate. The shelves 42 may be configured to rotate individually and may rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise. In another embodiment, the shelves 42 may be rotated by a motor (not shown). Each shelf 42 may rotate at the same speed or the shelves 42 may be configured to rotate at differing speeds. The shelving unit 10 may also include switches to activate particular shelves 42. Accordingly, some shelves 42 may rotate while others remain stationary. The shelves 42 may also include a lighting system (not shown) that may be powered by the same power source that powers the motor or may be powered by a separate power source. The lighting system may include a plurality of bulbs configured as Christmas tree lights.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the shelving unit 10 may also be arranged as a table 50 for use during non-holiday seasons. FIG. 9, illustrates a table 50 having two shelves 42 of equal diameter. Alternatively, a table 50 may be formed having shelves 42 of different diameters. In another embodiment, the table 50 may be formed having only shelf 42.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a shelving unit 100. A center post 102 is formed from a plurality of posts 104, each having a male treaded bottom end 106 and a female threaded top end 108 that enables the posts 104 to be joined together. The top end 108 of each post includes a ledge 110 that extends outward from the post 104 and forms a cup 112. In particular, the top end 108 has a cross-sectional area 120 that is different than a cross-sectional area 118 of the remainder of the post 104. The difference in the cross-sectional areas 118 and 120 forms the ledge 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional area 120 is greater than the cross-sectional area 118. A support ring 114 joined to each shelf 116 is slid onto the center post 102 and positioned within the cup 112 to support the shelf 116.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate and alternative embodiment of a shelf 150. The shelf 150 is formed from a pair of shelf halves 152 that are snapped together at a shelf joint 154. By forming the shelf 150 from shelf halves 152 that shelf 150 may be more easily stored by storing the shelf halves 152 as separate pieces.

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a shelf.

The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art. As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shelving unit comprising: a post including a bottom end and a top end, the top end including a coupling mechanism to secure the top end of the post to a bottom end of a second post; a bracket secured adjacent to the top end of the post and having slots therein; a support mechanism having flanges that insert into the slots of the bracket; and a shelf that rests on the support mechanism. 